Joanie Schirm
Joanie Schirm won the 2013 Global Ebook Award for Best Biography for her book: Adventurers Against Their Will. Potomac Books will publish the second book, her father’s epic WWII tale, My Dear Boy: A World War II Story of Escape, Exile, and Revelation on March 1, 2019. Joanie is an award-winning writer, photographer, community activist, and retired Orlando, Florida businesswoman. The daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Oswald Holzer, she grew up on a sandy barrier island on the Space Coast of Florida, a place where extraordinary memories are made and pelicans soar. A sought after public speaker, she is internationally known for her highly successful leadership role in Orlando’s hosting of FIFA’s 1994 World Cup USA 1994. She is the proud parent of two adult children, Kelly and Derick, and lives in Orlando with her husband, Roger Neiswender. Her books can be purchased here.
-
100 Years Ago – December 1918 – Tomas Masaryk on return from Exile
by Joanie Schirm on December 27, 2018 Permalinkhttps://youtu.be/MZgf8l56tQg In this video from 1918, at about 8:10 minutes, the Mayor of Benesov, my dad’s Czech hometown, greets Tomas M. Masaryk returning from exile during WWI to become the president of the newly former Czechoslovakia. At the time my dad was six years old. My father’s aunt Valda was married to Jaroslav Marik, the
-
Past Meets Future
by Joanie Schirm on November 27, 2018 PermalinkSo many cool things happen along my writing journey. At the moment I’m seeking educators (high school through college) to be advance of publication readers of MY DEAR BOY and provide a review to the publisher, Potomac Books. Since my father, after he retired from his Melbourne, FL medical practice set up the student health care
-
A family tradition of saving the nation. Why truth matters and comes with a duty to speak out.
by Joanie Schirm on July 6, 2018 PermalinkAs I continue to write a series of books about my Czech father’s adventures during WWII during his forced displacement by the Nazis, I marvel how world history ebbs and flows with the same uncomfortable flare-ups of hatred and discrimination. The unique WWII letter collection that my father hid away after the war, often provides
-
A sad story of separation
by Joanie Schirm on June 19, 2018 PermalinkWith echoes of today’s turmoil around the world with ruthless separation of families, all trying to find a better and safe life, these letter excerpts from my father’s parents writing to him for his thirtieth birthday, are heartbreaking. By this time, torn apart by the Nazis, Dad and his parents had been separated for over
-
A-ha moments
by Joanie Schirm on January 2, 2018 PermalinkOne of the great gifts of this most recent life chapter of nearly a decade is having the freedom to do just what I want. It sounds spoiled, and maybe it is, but I worked long and hard to come to this time of choice for what I do with my time. Conducting research about
-
A bit of History — Czech Republic / Czechoslovakia remembering and honoring American soldiers
by Joanie Schirm on June 19, 2017 PermalinkMy friend Bob Doubek shared this notice. The writing by an unknown author has circulated for quite awhile but I thought still a message worth sharing. We must never forget those who’ve given their lives to keep us free. WWII changed the lives of many people and families like the family of Virgil Kirkham
-
When Father’s Day rolls around…
by Joanie Schirm on June 15, 2017 PermalinkEach year when Father’s Day rolls around, it reminds me that over the ages throughout literature that the relationship between fathers and daughters has been a topic of great interest. My dad, who passed away seventeen years ago was during his life on earth always intriguing. His fun sense of adventure mesmerized me. Swaddled
-
La Poste – via a mysterious post card, past meets present
by Joanie Schirm on May 23, 2017 PermalinkAs a storyteller, I know we never are the sole author of anything that happens to us. During my nearly decade old writing journey, I’ve experienced many moments that appear to spring unexpectedly from the universe. Recently, one such jolt arrived at my home via U.S. mail. Stamped “La Poste” on a white envelope with